SHAH ALAM, Sept 4- Malaysia Hindu Sangam said today it had no intention of meeting the cow-head protesters and have called on authorities to take immediate action against them.
It’s advisor Datuk A. Vaithilingam said the name of the national body for Hindu affairs had been misquoted in the press as having met the cow-head protestors.
“There were no such meetings,” he said today.
He said the protestors who gathered last Friday at the state secretariat to protest the relocation of a temple with a severed cow head had insulted Hindus who regard the animal as sacred.
Vaithilingam said they were dismayed at Home Minster Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein for meeting the protestors and for being photographed with them in the press. However, they are relieved the minister is now also calling for the protestors to be charged in court.
“We believe they have the right to peaceful protest, we are a democracy but they crossed the line by using the cow-head in their demonstration.”
The media yesterday also received notice of a meeting between residents of Section 23, Hindu Sangam and Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Noh Omar which was supposed to be held today but it was cancelled at the eleventh hour.
“We received no such invitation.” he said.
However he said they had no problem meeting other residents of Section 23, both Muslims and Hindus.
Vaithilingam said they were relieved the home minister is now also calling for the protestors to be charged in court.
He said the delay in taking action was sending the wrong message to world that the actions of the protestors were acceptable.
“This incident is going to happen again and again if no action is taken, everyone is watching.”
He explained the relocation of the 150-year-old temple in Section 19 had been pending for more than two decades.
The temple was part of an estate which over the years was redeveloped by the Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS) for housing but no provision was made for the religious house.
The temple is now located in the middle of a Muslim majority area.
He said temple officials were humiliated and faced emotional torture when dealing with the previous administration on the issue of relocating the temple.
“All the previous sites were unsuitable until the site in Section 23 was selected.”
He denied claims the temple was too close to homes there because there was a field and drain separating the site of the temple to residential areas.
“The residents themselves had never objected to us,” he said, but acknowledged that objections were sent to the state secretariat.
Meanwhile Hindu Sangam president RS Mohan Shan called on Hindu and Malaysians in general to remain calm over the incident.
“We are firm that the site in Section 23 is the best place to relocate the temple and would like the issue to be settled according to procedures,” Mohan said.
Vaithilingam and Mohan were speaking to the press today after meeting Selangor executive councillor Dr Xavier Jayakumar over the issue.
MI
04/09/09
It’s advisor Datuk A. Vaithilingam said the name of the national body for Hindu affairs had been misquoted in the press as having met the cow-head protestors.
“There were no such meetings,” he said today.
He said the protestors who gathered last Friday at the state secretariat to protest the relocation of a temple with a severed cow head had insulted Hindus who regard the animal as sacred.
Vaithilingam said they were dismayed at Home Minster Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein for meeting the protestors and for being photographed with them in the press. However, they are relieved the minister is now also calling for the protestors to be charged in court.
“We believe they have the right to peaceful protest, we are a democracy but they crossed the line by using the cow-head in their demonstration.”
The media yesterday also received notice of a meeting between residents of Section 23, Hindu Sangam and Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Noh Omar which was supposed to be held today but it was cancelled at the eleventh hour.
“We received no such invitation.” he said.
However he said they had no problem meeting other residents of Section 23, both Muslims and Hindus.
Vaithilingam said they were relieved the home minister is now also calling for the protestors to be charged in court.
He said the delay in taking action was sending the wrong message to world that the actions of the protestors were acceptable.
“This incident is going to happen again and again if no action is taken, everyone is watching.”
He explained the relocation of the 150-year-old temple in Section 19 had been pending for more than two decades.
The temple was part of an estate which over the years was redeveloped by the Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS) for housing but no provision was made for the religious house.
The temple is now located in the middle of a Muslim majority area.
He said temple officials were humiliated and faced emotional torture when dealing with the previous administration on the issue of relocating the temple.
“All the previous sites were unsuitable until the site in Section 23 was selected.”
He denied claims the temple was too close to homes there because there was a field and drain separating the site of the temple to residential areas.
“The residents themselves had never objected to us,” he said, but acknowledged that objections were sent to the state secretariat.
Meanwhile Hindu Sangam president RS Mohan Shan called on Hindu and Malaysians in general to remain calm over the incident.
“We are firm that the site in Section 23 is the best place to relocate the temple and would like the issue to be settled according to procedures,” Mohan said.
Vaithilingam and Mohan were speaking to the press today after meeting Selangor executive councillor Dr Xavier Jayakumar over the issue.
MI
04/09/09
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